We thrive in a culture where acne, periods and stretch marks are viewed as human imperfections. Cinemas and commercials further perpetuate this notion by projecting a false image of a “perfect” woman body.

To change this, and encourage women to embrace their imperfections, a 21-year-old Spanish artist is using her unique art.

A Barcelona University graduate, Cinta Tort Cartró turns period stains and body marks into colourful artworks.

She began with a project “Mancho y no me doy asco” (I am not disgusted by my stains) to break the taboo around periods.

“It all started as a form of expression, but it quickly turned into social commentary of the male-dominated culture we live in,” said Cartró, who is known by her pen name Zinteta on Instagram.

“I’m surprised that in the 21st century, menstruation is still seen as something not to be talked about,” says Cartró.

“Since I started using the cup, I’ve become more aware of this process. I started to know more about my body and realised that periods are a natural process, normal, and one that we should not hide”.

“I remember that in school the idea of staining a chair with blood made me panic, I was terrified about what people would think. I decided to paint people’s underwear to make it clear that sometimes stains happen, and nothing happens”

“Stretch marks are part of our essence, our moments, our lives, our stories and us. To accept all this is to accept your roots, your history, everything in it and, after all, accept yourself”, Cartró writes on her Instagram account.

“It is important for me to state in my art that everyone is beautiful and those flaws are not that. They make us unique and special,” Cartró said.